PROVINCE OF JAEN.

Starting in the Jaén´s Archaeological Museum, there are two especially interesting pieces. The Anthropomorphous Idol of Marroquíes Alto and the Iberian Sculptures of Porcuna.

The Anthropomorphous Idol of Marroquíes Alto (ca. 1800 BC) is a stylised ivory figure with geometrical features. This important work represents the passage from a schematic abstract idol to anthropomorphous understanding, initiating the concept of volume with rounded bulk in the sculpture.

The discovery of the Iberian Sculptures of Porcuna (5th c. BC) has changed the evaluation of Iberian art and culture. The ensemble was intentionally destroyed towards 400 BC and the fragments were hidden in a large ditch.

Two other works in the Cathedral are worth mentioning: the altarpiece of San Pedro de Osma by Pedro Machuca (ca. 1546), a polyptych of extraordinary quality and clear exponent of the purest Italian influence, and the Immaculate Conception Triumphant over Original Sin by Sebastián Martínez (17th c.), a painting of interesting and unusual iconography that follows the baroque style and has Venetian and Flemish overtones.

At Baeza, in the church of San Andrés, we may view the altarpiece of the Life of Christ (end of the 15th c.), a good example of painting on wood in the Gothic Hispano-Flemish style. Lastly, at Quesada, the Museo Zabaleta is well worth a visit.

Most notable is a series of landscapes and rural scenes of a post-cubist air, as well as the Dreams of Quesada, a series of surrealist drawings done for the Venice Festival.